Constructal Theory Applied to the Growth of Injection Channels in a Liquid Resin Infusion Problem

The present numerical study proposes the application of the constructal theory for the build of empty channels inserted in a porous domain, representing the liquid resin infusion process. Two different strategies are employed: 1) I-shaped pre-defined configuration for the empty channel, 2) constructive technique (evolutionary) where the empty channel is built from an elemental configuration and using the performance indicator to define the new position of each empty channel element. It is investigated the influence of geometry over the impregnation time and the amount of wasted mass of resin during the process. The same fluid dynamic conditions and the maximum occupation area of the empty channel were defined for the different strategies. The finite volume method (FVM) and volume of fluid (VOF) were used for the solution of mass, momentum, and transport of resin equations, which model the flow of resin/air mixture. Darcy’s law is applied to represent the porous medium resistance. Results showed that the constructive technique was highly promising in the proposition of configurations that reduced the time of impregnation of resin in the porous medium. Moreover, it was observed that, for the present fluid dynamic conditions, giving more freedom for the formation of empty channels shape also led to a reduction of filling time of resin impregnation in the porous mold.